Fishing reel connects Vancouver Island carver with Royal Family

KwagiulthartistJason Henry Hunt followed in the footsteps of his elderswhen he took up carving. Now, he's the latest member of hisfamily to have a connection with the Royal Family.

Huntcarved one of his designsinto theface ofa unique wooden fishing reel handcrafted by Peetz Outdoors in Victoria.

The mahogany reel was selected asa departing gift for the Royals as they wrap up their Canadian visit.

The choice isfitting for severalreasons. Peetz reels have been treasuredby generations of West Coast sportsfisherman and were used by Prince Andrew during a fishing trip toVancouver Island in1977.

TheHunt family has also been part of royal gifts in the past.

In 1958, a totem pole that was carved by Hunt's grandfather, Henry Huntand his great-grandfather Chief Mungo Martin of the Kwagiulth First Nation,was gifted by Canada toQueen Elizabeth II as part of British Columbia's Centennial celebration.

"My grandfather met the Queen back in 1958," Hunt said."Inmy aunts' and uncles' houses, there are photos of grandpa meeting the Queen."

The 30-metre polewas placed atWindsor Great Parkin England anda matching pole wasinstalled in Vancouver.

Orca, Salmon and Moon

Hunt's reel carvingwascommissioned as part of an artistsseries. A portion of the proceeds from the reels go to fundsalmon enhancement projectsin the Pacific Northwest.

The design on the royal reeldepicts anorcaon the hunt for salmon under a moon ofabalone. It ismeant to bring attention to the way the whales dependon healthy salmon for their survival.

"This year wasn't such a good year for fishing up where I am from," Hunt said. "These reels, with the salmon enhancement projects, I hope they change that tide a little bit."

West Coast reels

Peetz reels started withBoris Cecil Peetzback in 1925. Themaster jeweler from Victorialoved to fish andcombined his art with function todesignthe firstreel in1925.

"It's really about how they feel and how they sound. They have some interesting acoustics when you've got a fish on the line," said MarcHoelscher, a partner atPeetzOutdoors.

Other fishing companiesstarted to use metal for their tackle, but Peetzstuck with wood and is now knownfor thehandcrafted reels. Theoriginal mechanics of the reel are also still used today.

"We call them functional art," Hoelscher said. "The reels last for decades."

Gift from the Monarchist League

The reelwas selected as a gift for the Royals to commemorate their B.C. visitby theVictoria branchof the Monarchist League. The group contacted Government House and received permission to present the gift.

"We were looking for something that was unique to British Columbia,"said member BruceHallsor.

"We knew when we saw the royal itinerary that there was going to be some fishing.It allseemed to come together."

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On The Island4:32Fishing reel connects Vancouver Island carver with Royal Family

Kwagiulth artist Jason Henry Hunt followed in the footsteps of his elders when he took up carving. Now, he's the latest member of his family to have a connection with the Royal Family.